Toilette Water: To Drink or Not to Drink?

Taking into account a dogs ability to handle more bacteria without getting sick as us humans do, is it OK to give in to their constant attempts and just let them take a drink from the forbidden bowl? What do YOU think? We’d love to hear your response.

It may have a bad stigma considering it’s purpose is to house and flush bodily waste far far away from the premises, but is it all bad? The debate is a rather heated one as some could never forgive themselves or their dogs for doing this dirty deed. They go to great lengths and take extra precautions to keep the bowl stocked with little blue objects that promise to keep bacteria at bay and always being sure to close the lid promptly after doing their duty.

Then there are those…you know….”other” people. People who live by mottoes like, “A little dirt never hurt” and claiming some imaginary “5 Second Rule” as an excuse to eat food that has come into contact with the very surface that we walk on.

I am one of those two people, I will not tell you which one but you may be able to guess by the time this article is read. For now, here are some reasons why not to freak out if your pooch manages to take a taste from the porcelain punch bowl and why you might even consider it as a beneficial water source in your home.

1. It tastes great! Dogs love toilet water. Cats too, though their reach often limits their ability. While it is hard for some to overcome the association of the commode to human waste, why wouldn’t a constantly cool, mechanically refreshing source of water seem the best choice (assuming you clean it regularly)? If they’re drinking it, it can’t taste all that bad.

2. It’s not as bacteria-ridden as you think. Believe it or not, there are other more bacteria laden sources in the homes that we encounter up close and personally on a daily basis. Kitchen sinks and shower drains have replaced toilets as our homes’ most bug-ridden spots. One study suggests that your own toothbrush is probably dirtier than your toilet’s contents. Ponder that when it’s time to brush before bed. Don’t tell the kids though, as they may welcome an excuse to try and get out of brushing before bed.

3. It may actually be cleaner and safer than other water sources. Let’s be honest, how many of us clean the dog’s water dish before adding fresh water each morning? I’m not talking about a little rinse here, I mean get the soap out and give it a good scrub. And let’s not forget that you can take the dog out of the wild but you can’t take the wild out of the dog; a rain puddle, an empty bucket, even the stream leading from the gutters, your pet will find a water source of it’s own when convenient not “paws”ing to do a contaminant check.

4. Animals have a keen sense of smell. Just knowing that a dog can positively identify the presence of a single drop of human blood in over a gallon of water, I’d tend to think they’d know better than to drink from a fecal-ridden source. Not that some dogs aren’t above snacking in the litter box or backyard, but that’s another story.

5. It makes good back up. In the event that you are not able to get home at the time you originally planned, your dog’s dinner may be late, but at least you know that they will be well hydrated.

If our pets gain access to the forsaken fountain on our watch we have to do the mature thing and take responsibility. Knowing what we know now, it’s really not that big of a deal if they do. On the other hand, those little round blue balls that stick on the inside and other toilet cleaners can do a lot more harm to your pet than the water itself. So if you are using harsh cleaners please protect your pup and keep the lid shut.